/ Police appeal for a helping paw

Last updated on 23/1/2013 08:32:51 AM

Police are appealing for a helping paw

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for owners of unwanted dogs to donate them to the Force.

It comes as GMP begins a course of dog training for new dogs destined to be an additional arm of crime fighting. The dogs, if suitable, will take part in a 13-week course with a new handler where they will be trained in basic obedience, searching open areas of land and buildings for people, tracking on a long line, searching for items of property in different environments and chasing and detaining suspects.

Martin Almond, team leader for GMP’s Dog Training Unit, said: “We train dogs every day and have now come to the stage where we are in need of new dogs for the team. Those dogs that are given to us by the public are initially assessed in terms of their overall demeanour and ability to play and bond with a handler.

“We are looking for either German Shepherds, Rottweilers or crossbreeds of the two, aged 12 to 18 months who have a good temperament and are willing to play games with a ball or other dog toys. It may sound like a lot to ask but we do have a high failure rate as many of the dogs we are given with just aren’t suitable for policing duties.

“Those dogs that complete their training programme are then paired with a handler and become part of the operational team. All operational dogs live with their handler and become part of their family.”